Nā Lula Hālāwai

A Parliamentary Guide to Conducting Meetings in Hawaiian

This guide to conducting meetings in Hawaiian was researched and written by Dr. William J. Puette (a Professional Registered
Parliamentarian, who teaches Parliamentary Procedure at the University of Hawai‘i - West
O‘ahu and the past President of HSAP) and Dr. Richard Keaoopuaokalani NeSmith
(Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa).

It is based on and cross-referenced to the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, the standard parliamentary authority most commonly used in Hawaiʻi and the U.S., intended chiefly for non-legislative organizations and associations.

In the 1870s General Henry M. Robert adapted his rules manual from those in use by legislative assemblies at the time. Coincidentally, the Hawaiian language parliamentary terminology used in this manual is derived and adapted from Rules of Order (Nā Rula) used in early Hawaiian legislatures between 1854 and 1909.

The oldest known such pamphlets, published in both Hawaiian and English, date back to 1854 and were intended for use in the House of Nobles (Hale o Nā Ali‘i) and House of Representatives (Hale o ka Poʻe i Kohoʻia), both of which are included in the Appendix for reference.

The latest such pamphlet cited was used in the Territorial legislature in 1909, a transcription of which can be downloaded at the link below as well as the rules from the King Kalākaua's Privy Council of 1874 (Nā Rula o ko ke 'Lii ʻAha Kūkāmalū).

Check back later later for Companion Audio files of scripts from Nā Lula Hālāwai.

the Hawaiʻi State Association of Parliamentarians has published this work with generous support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in order to donate library copies to public libraries, secondary schools and University campuses throughout Hawaiʻi as a public service.

It can be freely downloaded in pdf by clicking on the link above

Each member of HSAP on its 2014 roster received a complimentary copy.

A copy from the remaining supply, can be obtained by contacting HSAP at the address below. To assist HSAP & OHA in this project, we request a $10 per book donation payable to "Hawaiʻi State Association of Parliamentarians". If requesting the book be mailed, add an additional $5 to cover the cost of postage & handling.